186 MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



minute ; labrum transverse, entire ; head 

 exserted; thorax usually convex, wide behind ; 

 body broad, flattened ; elytra rather long ; 

 tibiae simple. Found in decaying vegetables, 

 dung, and moss. 



30. Family. — Small-headed Rove-Beetles (Tachypo- 



ridae). Antennae gradually thickened to apex ; 

 last joint sometimes very large ; maxillary 

 palpi generally acute ; eyes small ; head 

 usually inserted deeply into thorax ; thorax 

 broadest behind ; elytra short ; tibiae some- 

 times spinose. Frequent putrescent fungi 

 and other decaying vegetable substances. 



31. Family. — Moss-loving Rove-Beetles (Pselaphidae). 



Antennae clavate ; maxillary palpi generally 

 very long, clavate ; labrum minute ; eyes 

 prominent ; head exserted, narrowed behind 

 eyes ; body short, robust ; elytra nearly half 

 the length of abdomen, broader than thorax, 

 folded at base ; tarsi 3-jointed, with a single 

 claw. Generally found during the winter 

 and spring in moss. 



III. LEGION. — Varicorn-Beetles (Yaricornes). 



Palpi four, two labial and two maxillary, the 

 inner maxillary pair wanting ; head not produced 

 into a rostrum in front ; antennae various ; tarsi 

 usually 5-jointed. 



VI. SUB-ORDER.— Clavicorn-Beetles (Helocera). 

 Antennae more or less clavate, tip sometimes rather 



